Router Bits for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started

Choosing the right router bit can be overwhelming when you're just getting into woodworking. With so many shapes, sizes, and terms, it's hard to know where to start.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the basic types of router bits every beginner should understand—what they do, when to use them, and tips to get the best results.

Prefer to watch? Check out my video below:

📺 Watch the full video on YouTube

What Is a Router Bit?

A router bit is the cutting component that attaches to your router and shapes or trims your material. It spins at high speeds to cut profiles, grooves, or edges in wood.

Understanding how each type of bit works will give you more control and confidence in your woodworking projects.

Types of Router Bits Every Beginner Should Know

1. Straight Bit

Straight bits are essential for cutting grooves, dados, and mortises. They're great for joinery, routing slots, or even carving out pockets in a workpiece.

👉 Best use: Creating grooves or mortises for joinery.

2. Flush Trim Bit

This bit uses a bearing to follow a template or existing edge, allowing you to trim material flush with another surface.

👉 Best use: Pattern routing or trimming veneer/laminate edges.

3. Roundover Bit

Adds a smooth, rounded profile to the edge of your workpiece. It’s one of the easiest ways to give your projects a finished, professional look.

👉 Best use: Softening sharp edges and adding a finished detail.

4. Chamfer Bit

Cuts a beveled edge at a specific angle, most commonly 45 degrees. It can be used for both decorative detail and practical edge treatment.

👉 Best use: Decorative edges or prepping edges for joinery.

5. Cove Bit

Cove bits create a concave profile, often used in molding and trim work. They can be combined with other profiles to create complex shapes.

👉 Best use: Decorative detailing in cabinetry and furniture.

6. Rabbeting Bit

Used to cut a shoulder or recessed edge (called a rabbet) along the edge of a board. It includes a bearing to control the depth of cut.

👉 Best use: Joinery for boxes, cabinet backs, or drawer bottoms.

Safety Tips for Using Router Bits

• Always cut against the bit’s rotation (climb cuts can be dangerous for beginners).

• Make multiple shallow passes instead of one deep cut.

• Use a router table for smaller pieces.

• Wear eye and hearing protection.

• Let the bit come to a complete stop before setting the tool down.

My Favorite Beginner Routers and Router Bit Sets

If you're just getting started, a quality bit set with the most common profiles is a great investment. Here's a set I recommend:

🛒 Recommended Router Bit Set for Beginners

🛒 Recommended Full Size Router (do it all type router)

🛒 Recommended Trim Router (best for roundover and chamfers)

FAQ: Router Bits for Beginners

Q: What router bit should I start with as a beginner?
A: A roundover or straight bit is perfect for learning control and getting clean results. They’re versatile and easy to use.

Q: How many passes should I make with a router?
A: Start with shallow cuts and make multiple passes. Deep cuts in one pass can cause burning, tear-out, or even kickback.

Q: What's the difference between up-cut and down-cut bits?
A: Up-cut bits pull material upward, clearing chips quickly (great for mortising). Down-cut bits push chips downward, giving a cleaner top surface (ideal for veneer or finish surfaces).

Wrap-Up: Don’t Be Intimidated by Router Bits

Router bits might look complicated, but once you learn the basics, they become one of the most powerful tools in your woodworking arsenal. Start with the essentials, get comfortable with the feel, and you’ll be cutting clean, accurate profiles in no time.

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